Unlike the past summers of couching and idling around, this year I decided to spend the summer more meaningfully. Since local volunteering was nothing new to me, I wondered why not take a step further and look for opportunities outside of the country. Upon researching through many volunteer programs and later, Projects Abroad, I discovered a nonprofit organization, Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) in Mandeville, Jamaica. Having heard about the prevalence of natural disasters in Jamaica, I decided to go for a two-week program that specialized in building shelters for homeless families. As I had been entirely new to the country and Projects Abroad, at first, I was honestly concerned over whether I would be able feel at ease during my time in Jamaica. However, upon the first couple days of my stay, all my worries immediately disappeared. Arriving in Jamaica, I was warmly greeted by my host family, several high school volunteers from all around the world, and the program’s supportive staff whom I was to spend the two weeks with. I was relieved to see that the others were as enthusiastic about the program as I was; aside from my own, the building project, there was the medicine project, of which some others were in charge of.

The builders were in charge of providing a proper shelter for a family of six: a mother and her five children, of which the youngest was one and the oldest was twelve. After we took quick glances at the surroundings, it did not require of us any further ado to realize the urgency of the family’s situation. The children were shoeless, rummaging through a jungle of vegetation, trampling over bits of junk and jagged rocks, searching for a footing on the slippery, steep trails of wet mud. It was heart-wrenching to see that the family was far too accustomed with this sort of rough lifestyle. As much as I have tried to imagine myself in their shoes, I was certain that I would never fully grasp what each day must be for these children. Their dwelling place did not share the slightest resemblance with what we would imagine to be a house. The family had been living in a shed that had obvious signs of patching, with its roof made of scraps “fixed” with bricks. Aside from its appearance, the shed was lacking in many areas as its size was barely that of a bathroom and rain easily seeped through. While I have passed through a rainy day carelessly and safe at home, this family suffers from the cold, without even a roof that keeps them dry. As I stared at the harsh reality, I was at a loss of words; at that moment, all I could do was just admire the strength of these young children and the smile they never failed to put on. It put me to shame to recall the seldom times in which I was ever appreciative of what I have. I became eager to challenge myself, to be a part of a positive impact, and to somehow give some of my happiness to this deserving family.

The construction of their new house was situated near the shed and consisted of using the frames of a building, which, without any work done, was much dilapidated and bare. There were many instances of when we had to endure continuous hours of strenuous work, which included carrying materials (gravel and cement) and leveling the floors and walls. However, all that we had to bear seemed trivial as we reflected on our progress and ultimately the finished product. The children were also huge motivators as their unrelenting enthusiasm became contagious at the workplace. I would never forget their small hands that reached for the buckets of cement or their staggering feet that rushed behind us in an effort to be a help. In growing hope of finishing the home, we worked progressively faster to compensate for the limited time we had. By the end of each passing day, we welcomed even our fatigue as we began to perceive it as a proof of our efforts. It was amazing to see how much that has been achieved, especially for those of us who were previously unaware of our own capabilities and the role that we can play in this community. Most importantly, upon looking at the finished product, the family could not hide their excitement with gaped mouths and genuine laughs. Their happiness came onto us tremendously more. The utter satisfaction of being the source of the smiles of the family was probably one of the most rewarding feelings ever.

What progressively drove us was our passion and thoughts of the joy that we can bring upon this loving country. At the time of our departure, we were unwilling to leave, as we all felt an undeniable bond with the family and with each other. However, we were able to go feeling assured and a thousand times more accomplished than when we first came.

Going to Jamaica has brought an unforgettable experience for me and the other volunteers from all around the world, with the eye-opening reality and new, rich culture it has shown. Our encounters in Jamaica reflected the bitter, harsh side of reality and the urgent need for affirmative attention towards promoting widespread access to resources and safer environment for all.

As a result, we have created Project WeNited as a way to sustain our valuable connections and to mark the start of our involvement in the global change for the better. With our members come from all over the world, I hope that our club will serve as a proof of the remarkability in this unification, in which cultural and language differences are overpowered by a mutual sense of humanitarianism. Through future visits to many other countries, we are committed in accomplishing this global change that we have begun.